Just a quick glance at any of these new mid-year fabrics can lead to all sorts of sunny ideas. Will you take to squashysoft quilting or fall in love with countryside madras printed denim and shiny new satinised cotton? For the romantic there’s beautiful embroidered lawns and more than enough nostalgia in the turn-of-the-century jacquard crepes, woven on precisely the same machines as those of sixty summers past. All ready for you to wear tomorrow — or to keep aside for that long hot summer . . .

The Black Arts: To keep you cool, at least, ,the newest version of the trad sexy look and black is still a winner – with see-through ‘n’ stripes. The set, less than a handful when taken off, is by Madeleine Foundations.Cobweb shawl by Bellino. Golden chain by Adrien Mann

…will your undies do you proud? Here are some sweet nothings to take his fancy.

There is nothing quite like Seventies underwear, especially Janet Reger, and this shoot is one of the best I’ve ever seen. From the model to the hair to the make-up to the styling…

Photographed by Jean-Claude Volpeliere.

Scanned by Miss Peelpants from She magazine, November 1970.

A little curve goes a long way: Purists’ purple silken set for a luxury touch. Push up bra is pre-formed and underwired. Hold you tightly waspie, laced and lightly boned, swing out rustling midi half-slip. All by Janet Reger. Tights by Quant. Plastic snake armband by Adrien Mann.

Booby trap Flowers are the only sure cover in this hardly-there veil of white. Nestle in this uncrushable bra-slip that’s looped with elastic at the top by Madeleine Foundations. Bare necessity briefs of stretch lace from Etam.

Build your love on a fine foundation: Soft and gentle set – new nude see-you-through shimmer bra and panties with stretchable lace cuffs by Abecita. Butterfly brooch by Adrien Mann.

News in brief: Don’t take any chances… Win his heart in these tiniest of compliments: brightly flowered pants of slightly stretch fabric, Marks and Spencer. Push up bra to have and to hold, Berlei.

It’s not only the birds that are going cheap this spring – fashion is too. For so many great new ideas and at such an early stage in the proceedings, they seem to be asking us to pay very little. So we can show you wear-every-day clothes at your price to our heart’s content.